Von Miller and Chris Harris walked to the podium for Wednesday’s interviews. Their absence of limps creates as much optimism as anything this offseason.

“You get Von and me back with the new guys, and this defense is going to be scary,” predicted Harris.

Miller (right knee) and Harris (left knee) each tore an anterior cruciate ligament late last season. Miller’s snapped in Houston in December, followed by Harris’ a month later. They remain on schedule to play the season-opener on Sept. 7. It’s possible they could make their debuts in the third preseason game, but the Broncos will take a methodical approach. They aren’t participating in team drills. It isn’t far off, though.

“They need me in December, January and February,” said Harris, who says the Broncos will have a top-five defense this season.

Miller spoke for only the second time this offseason, echoing April comments to The Denver Post that “I still have everything in front of me.” Miller says working with pass rusher DeMarcus Ware will make him better, saying he’s never had the luxury of a pairing with a teammate like him.

“Our relationship is great. It’s hard to explain. He’s just one of those special guys. It’s like DeMarcus already knows what I am asking before I ask it. Like he’s psychic. He explains stuff so well,” Miller said. “I have looked up to DeMarcus. I am not afraid to say it, I want to be like DeMarcus.”

Miller loves coming to work, he explained, because of the locker room vibe. Adding Aqib Talib, T.J. Ward and Ware generates electricity, it seems, through the building. Maybe even a few nuts and bolts. Let Miller explain.

“A lot of colorful guys. On defense you have to have a few screws loose,” Miller said. “I think we have a lot of loose screws. It’s a good balance of magnets and screws.”

Tight end Julius Thomas spoke Wednesday about the importance of improving. He insists he hasn’t approached his ceiling. He credited Ware for helping him on his blocking techniques. Thomas, a former accomplished college hoops player, weighed in on the NBA Finals when asked. He appreciates the Spurs’ style, praising Tim Duncan as one of the best players ever, but said it’s tough to pick against LeBron James who “can go get 40 points anytime he wants.”

So could James, who is 6-foot-8, 265 pounds, play tight end in the NFL?

Troy is a former Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies beat writer for The Denver Post. He joined the news organization in 2002 as the Rockies' beat writer and became a Broncos beat writer in 2014 before assuming the lead role ahead of the 2015 season. He left The Post in 2015.